Folding table and seat combination



March 17, 1953 R. G. WOODLEY FOLDING TABLE ANO SEAT COMBINATION 2 SHEETS--SHEET l Filed April 27, 1951 A Homey March 17, 1953 R. G. WOODLY FOLDING TABLE AND SEAT COMBINATION Filed April 2'? 1951 2 SHEETS--SHEET 2 Aitor/ley Patented Mar. 17, 1.953

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOLDING TABLE AND SEAT COMBINATION Ruby G. Woodley, Paducah, Tex.

Application April 27, 1951, serial No. 223,370

8 Claims. (Cl. 155-124) This invention relates to a novel construction of table and seat combination having only one detachable part and the remaining elements of which are capable of being readily folded or col'- lapsed into a compact unit which may be easily stored or transported and which may be quickly and easily arranged in an extended position to provide a plurality of seats and a table top supporting member. A

More particularly, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a unit having swingably and swivelly connected parts capable of being readily latched in extended operative positions and whichpmay be readily lswung to collapsed positions with the parts in overlapping relationship to 'provide a longA slender bundle of connected parts which may be readily stored or transported.

A further object of the invention is to provide a table and seat combination particularly adaptable for use out-of-doors for camping and picnics and which is so constructed that it is extremely eflicient and durable for accomplishing its intended purpose yet is capable of being very economically manufactured and sold.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter become more fully apparent from the following description of the drawings, illustrating a presently preferred embodiment thereof, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view, partly in vertical section illustrating the invention in an extended, operative position;

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof;

Figure- 3 is an end elevational view looking from left to right of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of the invention taken substantially along a plane as indicated by the line 4 4 of Figure l;

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the unit in an extended position and before application of the detachable table top, and

Figure 6 is a side elevational view, partly in section, showing the unit of Figure 5 in a folded or collapsed position.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the folding table and seat combination in its entirety and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, includes a foldable or collapsible unit, designated generally 9 and illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 including all of the elements of the combination as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 except the removable table top I0 and the fastenings II, carried thereby.

The foldable or collapsible unit 9 includes an velongated base member orfboard l2 and a secondary base member or board I3 which is disposed on and suitably secured to the board I2 which extends from one end thereof to a point intermediate of the ends of the board I2. A fastening I4 having a headed upper end extends downwardly through the base members I2 and I3 at one end of the base member I2 and a similar fastening I4 extends downwardly through the base member I2 adjacent its opposite end. Said fastenings I4 are swivelly connected to intermediate portions of elongated foot members I5 which are provided intermediate lof theirfends with downwardly opening sockets I6 in`wh'ich is accommodated a nut and washer of the fastening I4, engaging said foot member I5.

A seat leg I1, preferably of the saine cross se'ctional size and shape as the base members I2 and I3, is connected by a hinge I8 to the upper surface of the base member I2, adjacent the end thereof disposed remote to the base member I3 and is adapted to have one end rest upon the base member I2 when the seat leg I'I is in an extended, upright position as illustrated in Figures 1 and 5. The leg I'I is also adapted to fold against the upper surface of the base member I2 with its upper end disposed in spaced end to end relationship to the base member I3 and in substantially the same plane, as illustrated in Figure 6. An elongated bar I9, forming a seat, is connected by a hinge 2U to the leg I'I, one leaf of the hinge 20 being secured to a side edge of the leg I1 and the other leaf thereof being secured to the underside of the seat I9, near one end thereof, as best illustrated in Figure 4, so that the seat may be swung to a horizontal position with its intermediate portion resting upon the upper end of the leg I'I or into an extended position parallel to said leg and outwardly of the side edge thereof to which the hinge 2li is connected. A hook 2| has its shank end swingably connected to the eye of an eye screw 22 which projects from the opposite edge of the leg I I and said hook detachably engages the eye of an eye screw 23 which depends from the underside of the seat I9, adjacent the end thereof disposed remote to the hinge 20. 'I'he hook 2| has a shank portion formed of spaced end sections connected by a turnbuckle 24 which is threadedly connected to one of the shank sections for extending or reducing the length of the hook shank so that the hook 2| can be secured tightly to the eye 23 and nondetachably, if desired, by tightening the turnbuckle 24 after engagement of the hook with said eye. A corresponding hook 25 is swingably connected at one end thereof to an eye fastening 26 which is secured to and projects from one side edge of the base member i2 adjacent the end thereof disposed beyond the leg Il and the opposite end of said hook engages the eye of a fastening 21 which projects from the compl@ mentary side edge of the leg Il and by means of which hook 25 the leg i7 is detachably latched in an extended, upright position.

A leg 28, of the same cross sectional size as the leg Il, is hingedly connected to the upper surface of the base member I3, adjacent its outer end, by a hinge 2e and said leg 28 has one end resting upon the upper surface of the base member I3 when in an extended, upright position. The leg 28 is shorter than the leg I'i so that the upper ends of the legs are disposed-atsubstantially the same level when extended. .The leg 28 is swingable downwardly and inwardly to a folded position upon the upper surface of the base member I3 and when so disposed terminates inwardly of the inner end of said base member I3. The leg 28 is `detachably maintained inan n.upright position by a vhook 3G, .corresponding with the hooliZi, the shank end of which con- 'nects to the eye of a fastening "3i which pro-f jects from side edge ofthe `base member I2 and. the opposite 4end of which hook 3E! detachably Iengages the eye of a fastening 32 which projects .from vthe complementary side edge of the leg :23s.

An elongated bar forming a seat 33 is proj,

Vvided intermediate of itsY ends and inits underside with a downwardly opening recess 34 nor- ;mally closed by a plate -35 which is secured to the underside of the seat 33 by fastenings Sii and which is provided intermedi'ateof its ends with an opening 31 Ato receive the shank of `a headed bolt 38, the head of which is disposed fin the-recess v34 and the shank of which is provided with a right angular bend adjacent said Ahead. The recess 34 is-of sufficient length and vwidth to accommodate :the portion of the bolt shank 'disposed between the bend and head. The opposite :end of the bolt shank extends downwardly through a longitudinal bore 39 in the upper portion of the leg 2-8, in which it is loosely disposed, and terminates in a socket 40 which opens outwardly of the outer side of the leg 28. Anut 4I is loosely disposed in the socket 451 and -threadedly connected to the terminal of the bolt shank and is retained thereon by a cotter pin V42. The bend of the bolt shank is disposed .sufficiently above the vupper vor outer end `of the vleg .2,8 so that ,the .opening 3l `of the ,plate A35 can slide valong ,the boltshank from its position against the boltA head, V.as illustrated in Figure 6, to a position against the upper end `of the leg v28 .to enable the seat 33 to slide and turn relatively to thebolt 38 and thus be moved from its position of Figures 3 and 5 upon and crosswise Aof lthe vleg v28 to its position .of Figure 6 longitudinally of said leg. A pair of corresponding braces 43 are swingably connected `at correspond- .ing ends thereof to the outer or upper side of the `leg 28 each by a nut and bolt fastening Mend the opposite, free ends of said braces 43 are detachably connected to the seat 33, adjacent the Yends thereof, each byr a bolt and wing nut fasten ing 45 which extends through and projects from one side edge of the seat. The braces 43 project upwardly and outwardly in diverging relationship relatively to one another when engaged by the fastening 45 and function to rigidly support the seat in .a horizontal position on the upper end of the leg 28 and are detached therefrom to assume positions longitudinally of the leg 28- the leg il, as illustrated in Figure 6. supporting bar 4d, 4corresponding in construction 4 when the leg and seat are moved to collapsed, folded positions, as illustrated in Figure 6.

A table leg 45 preferably of the same cross sectional size and shape as the seat legs I'I and 28, but longer than either of said legs, is connected by a hinge 41 to the base member I3, one leaf of the hinge being secured to the inner end of the base member I3 and the other leaf thereof being secured to one side of the leg 46 to permit the'leg to assume an upright position with its lower end resting on the upper surface of .the base member i3 or a collapsed position above A table top .siticn against the outerside thereof, as illustrated 5in Figures 4 and 6. The leg .45 is also .provided kwith a socket sila opening outwardly of one side thereof to accommodate the nut and cotter and has a longitudinalbore 39a for loosely receiving a part of the bolt shank. A pairof braces 43a is connected at corresponding ends -thereofby fastenings lisa to the side of the leg 46 which constitutes its upper side when folded ,and the opposite ends of said braces 43a are detachably Y connected by bolt and wing nutfastenings 445a Y to the bar 43 beyond the ends'of its rccessiwa.v

The bar 48,.adiacent its ends, is'provided with bores 4Q extending therethrough from `top to bottom thereof -to receive the 'Shanks of the fastenings II which depend from the tabletop II) and extend downwardly rthrough said bores 49. The fastenings II are provided `with wing nuts for securing the fastenings to the bar 48 and to detachably secure the table top I0 upon the bar 46. .As seen in .Fig-ure .4, the heads of the fas-tenings Ii are countersunk in the upper surface of the 'table top'I.

The base member I3, between the legs 128 and 4S, is provided with a recess 50 opening outwardly of its upper side to accommodate spare items of hardware employed with the table and seat combination 8 and which have been previously described and "which .are not disclosed in the recess or storage ;chamber v50.. The upper end of therecess Sikis closedbya cover'plate 5I which seats in .arecess 52;.in1he1upperlsurface of the member I3 and `which surrounds .the chamber 5d. .Thecover vplateI is provided with depending resilient flanges I'53 which yieldably bear against the end Walls of thechamber Erito retain the cover plate in an applied position.

The verection of the vtable and'seat combination 8 as illustrated yin Figures 1 to 4 is considered obvious from the preceding description and it will be readily apparent that each of the seats I9 and 33 provide a support on which a user of the apparatus 8 may be seated in a `convenient position for use of the table top I0 as a dining table or for any other purpose. lThe foot members I5 by being disposed crosswise lof the base I2 Lwill provide an adequate support for the structure v8 and are adapted to rest on'any suitable supporting surface such asthe ground. `When it is desired to collapse the structure 8 for storage or transportation, the wing nuts of fastenings II are first removed so that the ytable 'top I0 may be detached Y after which the `braces 143 and Miner-e "disconnected from the seat 33'and bar 48, respectively. The hook 2| is disconnected from the eye 23 and the seat I9 is'swung to its position of Figure 6 after which the hook 25 is disconnected from the eye 21 and the leg I1 and sea-t I9 are then'swung to their collapsed positions of Figure 6. A hook 54, corresponding to the hook 25, is swingablyoonnected at its shank end to an eye fastening 55 which projects from one side edge of the base member I3 and which is detachably connected at its opposite end to the eye of a fastening 56, which projects from the complementary side edge of the leg 46, is then disengaged from the eye 55 to permit the leg 46 to be swung downwardly to substantially a horizontal position 'above the leg I'I and after the bar 48 has been swung to its position of Figure 6 relatively to the leg 46. The hook 30 is then disengaged from the eye 32 and the leg 28 is then swung downwardly to a position resting upon the base member I3 and substantially parallel thereto, after the seat 33 has been swung and slid to its position of Figure 6. The foot members I5 are then swung to positions beneath and Alongitudinally of the base member I2 and the unit 9 as thus collapsed, and as seen in Figure 6, may be conveniently carried, stored or transported and the various components thereof may be retained in their positions of Figure 6 by suitable rope or tie means, not shown, which may be secured therearound.

Various modifications and changes are contemplated and may obviously be resorted to, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as hereinafter defined by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. A combination folding table and seat structure comprising an elongated base member having an elevated surface extending from intermediate of the ends of the base member to one end thereof, a seat leg swingably connected to the base member adjacent its opposite end for swinging movement between an upright and a horizontal position, said seat leg being swingable inwardly toward a horizontal position and terminating in spaced relationship to the -elevated surface of the base member when in a horizontal. collapsed position, a table leg swingably connected to the elevated portion of the base member and supported in an upright extended posi- -tion thereon and in a horizontal, collapsed position above said seat leg when folded, .and a second'seat leg swingably connected to the elevated surface adjacent the end thereof remote to the table' leg for movement between an .upright position resting on the elevated surface and a horizontal position on the elevated surface and in spaced relationship relatively to said table leg, bars slidably and swivelly connected to the upper ends of the table leg and second seat leg and resting on the upper ends of said legs and crosswise thereof when the legs are in upright extended positions, means for releasably retaining said bars in horizontal positions on the upper ends of said legs, said bar of the table leg forming a table top support and the bar of the second seat leg forming a seat, said bars being swingable to folded positions against the upper sides of said legs when the legs are swung downwardly to collapsed positions, and a bar hingedly connected to the first mentioned seat leg and swingable between an operative position on the upper end of and transversely of said first mentioned seat leg and an inoperative position against one side edge of said Afirst mentioned seat leg.

2. A combination table and seat structure comprising an elongated base, seat legs hinged to the base adjacent each end thereof and disposed to rest upon and be supported by the base when in upright positions, a table leg hinged to an intermediate portion of the base and having a lower end resting upon the upper surface of the base when the table leg is in an upright position, the upper surface of a portion of the base being disposed below the level of the upper surface of another portion of the base and h'aving one of said seat legs hinged thereto to fold against said rst mentioned upper surface portion, said table leg being disposed over said seat legs when said legs are disposed in folded positions substantially parallel to the plane of the base, said other seat leg being hinged to the last mentioned surface portion of the base and being disposed in substantially a horizontal position thereagainst when in a collapsed position and in spaced relationship relatively to the table leg, a bar forming a seat resting on the upper end of each seat leg and disposed transverse to the base when the seat legs are in extended positions, the bar of the rst mentioned seat leg being hingedly connected to a side edge thereof and being disposed outwardly of said side edge and to one side of the base and table leg when the legs are in folded or collapsed positions, the seat of said last mentioned seat leg being slidably and swingably connected to the leg and movable to a folded position against the upper side thereof when the last mentioned seat leg is in a folded position, and a table top supporting bar mounted on the upper end of the table leg when the latter is in an extended position and disposed crosswise of the base, said table top supporting bar being slidably and swingably connected to the table leg to fold against the upper side thereof when the table leg is in a collapsed position above the rst mentioned seat leg.

3. A Acombination table and seat structure as in claim 2, and a table top detachably connected to the table top supporting bar and supported thereon when the table leg is in an upright position and the table top supporting bar is resting on the upper end thereof.

4. A combination table and seat structure as in claim 2, and an elongated foot member s-wivelly connected to the underside of each end -of the base and swingable from an extended, operative position transversely to the base to an inoperative position beneath and longitudinally of the base.

5. A combination table and seat structure as in claim 2, and brace members swingably connected to the legs and d etachably connected to the bars for rigidly supporting the bars in operative positions on the upper ends of the legs and transversely of the base.

6. A table and seat structure as in claim 2, and brace members swingably connected to the base and detaehably connected to the legs for rigidly maintaining the legs in upright positions and with the lower ends of the legs resting upon the upper surface of the base.

7. A table and seat structure as in claim 2, and .brace members swingably connected to the base and detachably connected to the legs for rigidly maintaining the legs in upright positions and with the lower ends of the legs resting upon the upper surface `of the base, each of said brace members including spaced shank portions connected by a turnbu-cklefor varying the effective length of the brace.

kk. n-A'zcombinaton table andseatastrucbure as :in :claim 12, each of thebars. of theatahle leg .and

last vmentioned seatJ 1eg`having'a1recess formed ing in a'fastening-,headjthe fastening head being disposed in the-bau' recess and the shank' portion 'of the fastening `Orl-either side of rthe .bend thereof being sldable `through the restricted openngof the recessforfpostioning the bar with its `interrnediafae portion against "the upper `end 1.1'5 Number Yi8 of -theileg -.or with fone end `therecf `disposed 'fagainstazside-of:thevbain RUBY G. WOODLEY.

vREFERENCES CITED "The `:following rferencxas are .of record in lthe Vfile of 'this "patent:

UNITED "STATES PATENTS 10 Number y Name Date I1,'303A46 Zabawa `Many .13, 1919 856,977 Swensson Mayf3, 1932 rvFOREIGN PATENTS Country .Date 

